Zechariah 12:1 This is the burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him:

Bible > Zechariah > Chapter 12 > Verse 1

◄ Zechariah 12:1 ►

New International Version
A prophecy: The word of the LORD concerning Israel. The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, declares:

New Living Translation
This message concerning the fate of Israel came from the LORD: “This message is from the LORD, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundations of the earth, and formed the human spirit.

English Standard Version
The oracle of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus declares the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him:

Berean Standard Bible
This is the burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him:

King James Bible
The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

New King James Version
The burden of the word of the LORD against Israel. Thus says the LORD, who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him:

New American Standard Bible
The pronouncement of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: The LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of a person within him, declares:

NASB 1995
The burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him,

NASB 1977
The burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him,

Legacy Standard Bible
The oracle of the word of Yahweh concerning Israel. Thus declares Yahweh who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him,

Amplified Bible
The oracle (a burdensome message) of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth and forms the spirit of man within him:

Christian Standard Bible
A pronouncement: The word of the LORD concerning Israel. A declaration of the LORD, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundation of the earth, and formed the spirit of man within him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
An Oracle The word of the LORD concerning Israel. A declaration of the LORD, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundation of the earth, and formed the spirit of man within him.”

American Standard Version
The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. Thus saith Jehovah, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him:

Contemporary English Version
This is a message from the LORD about Israel: I am the LORD! I stretched out the heavens; I put the earth on its foundations and gave breath to humans.

English Revised Version
The burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is the prophetic revelation, the word of the LORD about Israel. The LORD-who spread out the heavens, laid the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit in a person-says,

Good News Translation
This is a message about Israel from the LORD, the LORD who spread out the skies, created the earth, and gave life to man. He says,

International Standard Version
A declaration: a message from the LORD to Israel. "The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who frames the spirit of man within himself, declares,

Majority Standard Bible
This is the burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him:

NET Bible
The revelation of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: The LORD--he who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundations of the earth, who forms the human spirit within a person--says,

New Heart English Bible
An oracle. The word of the LORD concerning Israel. The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him says:

Webster's Bible Translation
The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

World English Bible
A revelation of Yahweh’s word concerning Israel: Yahweh, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him says:

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
The burden of a word of YHWH on Israel. A declaration of YHWH, "" Stretching out the heavens, and founding earth, "" And forming the spirit of man in his midst:

Young's Literal Translation
The burden of a word of Jehovah on Israel. An affirmation of Jehovah, Stretching out heaven, and founding earth, And forming the spirit of man in his midst.

Smith's Literal Translation
The Lifting up of the word of Jehovah for Israel, says Jehovah, stretching forth the heavens and founding the earth, and forming the spirit of man in the midst of him.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
The burden of the word of the Lord upon Israel. Thus saith the Lord, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundations of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man in him :

Catholic Public Domain Version
The burden of the word of the Lord upon Israel. The Lord, stretching forth the heavens and founding the earth and forming the spirit of man within him, says:

New American Bible
An oracle: The word of the LORD concerning Israel—oracle of the LORD, who spreads out the heavens, lays the foundations of the earth, and fashions the human spirit within:

New Revised Standard Version
An Oracle. The word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus says the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the human spirit within:

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
THE vision of the words of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus says the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth and created the spirit of man within him:

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The vision of the words of LORD JEHOVAH about Israel: LORD JEHOVAH says, who stretched out the Heavens and he has constructed the foundations of the Earth, and he created the spirit of a son of man within him

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
The burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. The saying of the LORD, who stretched forth the heavens, And laid the foundation of the earth, And formed the spirit of man within him:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel; saith the Lord, that stretches out the sky, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Jerusalem will be Attacked
1This is the burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him: 2“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples. Judah will be besieged, as well as Jerusalem.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Isaiah 42:5
This is what God the LORD says—He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk in it:

Isaiah 44:24
Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by Myself spread out the earth,

Isaiah 45:12
It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. It was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I ordained all their host.

Isaiah 48:13
Surely My own hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand up together.

Jeremiah 10:12
The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.

Jeremiah 51:15
The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.

Psalm 102:25
In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

Psalm 104:2-5
He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent, / laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind. / He makes the winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants. ...

Job 26:7
He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth upon nothing.

Job 38:4-7
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. / Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? / On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone, ...

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Colossians 1:16-17
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Hebrews 1:10
And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.

Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”

Treasury of Scripture

The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, said the LORD, which stretches forth the heavens, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.

Cir.

Zechariah 9:1
The burden of the word of the LORD in the land of Hadrach, and Damascus shall be the rest thereof: when the eyes of man, as of all the tribes of Israel, shall be toward the LORD.

Lamentations 2:14
Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.

Malachi 1:1
The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

for.

Isaiah 51:22,23
Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: …

Jeremiah 30:10,16
Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid…

Jeremiah 50:34
Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

which.

Job 26:7
He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.

Psalm 102:25,26
Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands…

Psalm 104:2
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

formeth.

Genesis 2:7
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Numbers 16:22
And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

Ecclesiastes 12:7
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

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Zechariah 12

1. Jerusalem a cup of trembling to herself,
3. and a burdensome stone to her adversaries.
6. The victorious restoring of Judah.
10. The repentance of Jerusalem.

Berean Study Bible

A prophecy
The Hebrew word for "prophecy" is "מַשָּׂא" (massa), which can also mean "burden." This indicates a message of significant weight and importance, often concerning future events. In the context of Zechariah, this prophecy is a divine revelation that carries the authority and solemnity of God's word, emphasizing the seriousness of the message that follows.

the word of the LORD
The phrase "word of the LORD" (דְּבַר־יְהוָה, devar-YHWH) signifies a direct communication from God. In the Hebrew tradition, the "word" is not just a spoken message but an active force that accomplishes God's will. This underscores the power and authority of the prophecy, as it is not merely human speculation but divine truth.

concerning Israel
"Israel" here refers to the nation chosen by God, encompassing both the historical people and the spiritual descendants. The prophecy is directed specifically at Israel, highlighting God's ongoing relationship and covenant with His people. Historically, Israel has been central to God's redemptive plan, and this prophecy reaffirms their significance.

The LORD
The use of "LORD" in all capitals represents the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, the personal name of God revealed to Moses. This name signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenantal faithfulness. It reminds the reader of God's unchanging character and His sovereign authority over all creation.

who stretches out the heavens
This phrase reflects God's role as the Creator, emphasizing His power and majesty. The imagery of "stretching out the heavens" suggests the vastness and order of the universe, which God has meticulously designed. It serves as a reminder of His omnipotence and the intricate care with which He governs the cosmos.

who lays the foundation of the earth
Here, God's creative work is further highlighted by His establishment of the earth's foundations. This phrase underscores the stability and permanence of God's creation, reflecting His wisdom and purpose. It also serves as a metaphor for God's reliability and the surety of His promises.

and who forms the spirit of man within him
This part of the verse speaks to God's intimate involvement in the creation of humanity. The Hebrew word for "forms" (יֹצֵר, yotser) implies a potter shaping clay, indicating God's personal and intentional design of each individual. The "spirit of man" refers to the immaterial aspect of human beings, highlighting the divine breath that gives life and consciousness, setting humanity apart as bearers of God's image.

declares
The word "declares" (נְאֻם, ne'um) is often used in prophetic literature to introduce a solemn pronouncement from God. It signifies the certainty and authority of what follows, assuring the reader that these are not mere human words but a divine decree that will surely come to pass.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 1-ch. 14:21. - B. THE SECOND BURDEN. Verses 1-9. - § 1. The prophet proceeds to announce Israel's conflict with heathen powers. Hostile nations gather together against Jerusalem, but shall themselves be overthrown; for the people and their leaders, trusting in the Lord, overcome all opposition. Verse 1. - The burden of the word of the Lord for (concerning) Israel. This is the title of the second oracle, corresponding to that at the head of ch. 9. Though the literal Israel has been rejected, as we saw in the last "burden," a new people of God. arises (Hosea 1:10), the Messianic theocracy, which is also called Israel, whose fortunes the prophet herein delineates, describing its probation, its contests, triumph, and development. The body is like its Head; as the good Shepherd, Christ, was persecuted and rejected, so his members, the true Israelites, suffer at the hand of the world and Satan, before they are finally glorified. Some critics suppose that "Israel" here is written by mistake for "Jerusalem," as possibly in Jeremiah 23:6 (see note on Zechariah 1:19). It is best to put a full stop after "Israel," and begin a new sentence with "Thus saith the Lord," or "The saying of Jehovah." Which stretcheth forth the heavens, etc. (comp. Isaiah 42:5; Amos 4:13). The attributes of God. are mentioned here that all may believe that what he has promised, that he is able to perform. He is not only the Creator, but also the Pro-server of all things (Psalm 104:2-4; Hebrews 1:10. Formeth the spirit of man within him. God creates the souls of men, and moulds and guides them. In life and death men work out his purposes (Numbers 16:22; Hebrews 12:9).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

An oracle
מַשָּׂ֥א (maś·śā)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4853: A burden, tribute, porterage, an utterance, chiefly a, doom, singing, mental, desire

of the word
דְבַר־ (ḏə·ḇar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

concerning
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

[Thus] declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD,
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

who stretches out
נֹטֶ֤ה (nō·ṭeh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

the heavens
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙ (šā·ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

and lays the foundation
וְיֹסֵ֣ד (wə·yō·sêḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3245: To set, to found, to sit down together, settle, consult

of the earth,
אָ֔רֶץ (’ā·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

who forms
וְיֹצֵ֥ר (wə·yō·ṣêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3335: To mould into a, form, as a, potter, to determine

the spirit
רֽוּחַ־ (rū·aḥ-)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

of man
אָדָ֖ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

within him:
בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃ (bə·qir·bōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

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OT Prophets: Zechariah 12:1 An oracle (Zech. Zec Zc)